Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray  strongly reacted to the remarks of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey regarding violence against Hindi speakers in Maharashtra, Nishikant had said, “Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge.”

MNS chief Raj Thackeray said, “A BJP MP said, ‘Marathi logon ko hum yahan pe patak patak ke maarenge’…You come to Mumbai. Mumbai ke samundar mein dubo dubo ke maarenge.”

At a public meeting in Mumbai, MNS chief Raj Thackeray says, “I have not come here to stoke any controversy over language. Beware, anything can happen with you. I am a Hindu but Hindi cannot be imposed on me. If anyone has a right over this region, it is we (Marathis). You are the sons of Maharashtra, others have come from outside. If someone comes here and does something a little too much, then beat them up.”

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who is facing controversy over his ‘patak patak ke marenge’ statement amid the Hindi-Marathi language controversy in Maharashtra, has defended his statement by sticking to it.

He said, “I am saying this again, I stand by my statements. This nation is diverse, and all its people have a strong affection for their region…If Maharashtra is a part of this country, then anyone can be settled anywhere in this country…But they beat up those who are Hindi language speakers…Even today, only 31-32% Marathi speakers live in Mumbai…I accept that Maharashtra has a huge contribution to the economy, I have huge respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” He said this in an interview to news agency ANI.